An assessment of the minimization of risk and the maximization of opportunity among private nonprofit agencies in Florida.

The purpose of this study was to assess the preparation of human service organizations for the minimization of risk and the maximization of opportunity. Three primary areas were examined: political connectivity (which aids in the maximization of opportunity), documentation of agency policies (which aids in the minimization of risk), and comprehensive strategic planning (which aids in both the maximization of opportunity and the minimization of risk). A survey of organizational characteristics was conducted with agencies known for provision of sexual education services to adolescents within Florida. This study revealed some of the strengths and deficits of the organizations in the sample. Strengths included fairly high rates of political connectivity and written documentation of personnel policies. There were deficits in the documentation of programmatic policies and the comprehensiveness of strategic plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]